Among my Father's

The first recorded words of Jesus are found in Luke chapter two, verses 41 through 52. In this passage, which I've heard any number of times, I see two related things of interest. The first comes up when you start to look at either the Greek, or begin comparing different translations of the passage. One says "...must be about my Father's business?", another "...must be in my Father's house?" Surely those are two fairly divergent statements - why are they so different?

If you look at the Greek, a literal word-for-word translation might be something like "Did you not know I am bound to be among/in the (things) of my Father?" The word "things" in parenthesis doesn't exist in the Greek text. In Koine Greek, it is not uncommon to use a pronoun such as "the" with nothing following to indicate a generality, in this case to infer that Jesus needed to be among or in ANYTHING belonging or pertaining to the Father. So either "business" or "house" would be correct in a limited way, "business" being closer to the kind of inclusiveness involved in the Greek. The word translated "about" or "in" definitely means to be a part of them, surrounded by them. It does not mean just being near them. The difference is between being on the beach ("para" in Greek) or going swimming ("en" in Greek). Also, the word translated as "must" has the flavor of being bound or tied to something. It does not imply a desire, but a necessity. To paraphrase the verse then, Jesus asks "Did you not know that I am bound to be involved in my Father's things?"

This seems to be a good barometer of our spiritual weather. If the spirit of Jesus Christ lives in us, then the degree to which we are walking in His spirit should be apparent in the degree to which we are bound to the things of the Father. The obvious question at this point is what are the things of the Father? Before we can answer, we should perhaps remove a limitation that might tend to creep into the answer to that question. The things of the Father are not necessarily PERFECT. In the case where the temple is assumed to be concerned, it was known, both in the old testament and in the new, that the temple was only a copy of something far more real (see Hebrews 8:1-2, and Exodus 25:8-9). It had varied in materials used and in the skills available for it's construction, none of which would compare to that temple of which it was a copy. Also, Jesus was involved in speaking with the priests and teachers of the law, and we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that not all their teachings were correct or authoritative - Jesus would be back later to make that abundantly clear!

So, if to be among the Father's "things" required neither perfection of form or intent or intellect, what were the qualifications? I think the peculiarities of the Greek in this verse makes it very clear - the only qualification was to be called by the Father's name. Both the temple and the priesthood were SANCTIFIED - called apart for the Father, set aside for His use. It was this, and nothing else, that caused Jesus to be drawn irresistibly to them. What a marvelous model of grace this is! Through no merit of theirs at all, by their simply being set aside for His purposes (and even imperfectly that), the Father claims them for His own, and Jesus is bound to them. It is in this same way that Christians are made. It is not by their becoming perfect that they become worthy of the Father, but by being set aside for His purposes, they become the special concern of the Father, and of the Son, who is His heir. We are called by His name.

And we can continue outward from there to find other thing's that are called by the Father's name. Every church, every ministry, even every denomination, flawed though they may be, are nonetheless called by His name insomuch as they are Christian at all. How do we treat these things? I know of some who view the church building as nothing else - just a building. They don't seem to realize that it is a building called by His name - and therefore something that Jesus is specially concerned with. When I was younger, I left behind a lot that I had heard about the church being God's House - after all, Christians are the temple of the Holy Spirit. Although I still believe that to be true, this verse seems to indicate that I cannot treat this building commonly.

Likewise I must treat other denominations as Jesus is seen treating the priests and teachers. I have no doubt that He was working to correct them, but that can only be because what they thought and believed was important to Him. He is never seen taking a flippant attitude toward them as we might tend to do. He never wrote them off. He would question, challenge, and even assault them, but only because it was His business to! He never sought to destroy them, but only to perfect them. I imagine He continues to strive to that end even now, not because they are special in and of themselves, but simply because they are called by His name.

Even in other religions one can find traces of the one who is truly the Father of all. I do not doubt that both Father and Son work continuously at purifying and correcting all of these (some more than others) - anywhere that a human heart calls out to the one great good, maybe completely unknown to him, but yet yearned and hoped for. And why stop there? Every tree, and flower, every mountain top or hillside, every bird or beast, is called by the name of the Father who is their Creator. Only evil itself is exempt, for "every good and perfect gift comes from above, coming down from the Father of Lights". Every good thing is called by the Father's name.

All that being said, it is clear that almost nothing is common. From the specific things, like churches, ministries and denominations, to the general things - wind and stars and rocks and the like - every remnant of every good thing that has ever been or ever will be, is called in some way and to some degree by the Father's name. Where then is hatred? Where is disdain? Whom are we free to scorn and ridicule? Who, to our peril, will we dare to ignore? Almost everywhere we turn, we are confronted by the Name that is above all Names.

I suppose that's at least one reason why we are told that in everything we do, do it as if for Jesus Christ. Unless we are engaged in doing WRONG, we ARE involved in the business of Heaven. In a wonderful little book "Gutta Percha Willie" by George MacDonald, a shoemaker helps introduce the protagonist to what he calls the "general business", by which he means that each should search to do what he can to love his neighbor through his work - whether that be the work of a doctor, such as Willie's father, or that of a shoemaker. No matter what one is doing, if it is honorable, then it is also ennobling.

So, as regards this first point, I need to at least be aware of how I treat things, starting with things that are EXPLICITLY sanctified to God my Savior - Christians, churches, pastors, Bibles, devotion and prayer times, because I can be assured that in these things, I am likely to encounter my God, who calls them His own. Then I need to examine how I treat my neighbor, and how I treat my enemy, because within each is the remains of the image of God. How do I treat my possessions, and the possessions of others? How is my work ethic? Do I complain about my work, or do I excel at it? Looking over all of this, there is a large part of the gospel and Christian doctrine to be found in this one story!

The second thing that I noted in this story relates back to the use of the word translated as "among" or "about". It is used twice in this narrative, once as Mary and Joseph search among their relatives and acquaintances for Him, and once in Jesus incredulous statement "Did you not know I must be among my Father's things?" What I've been wrestling with is that incredulity. Jesus seems absolutely perplexed that He has caused this concern. It appears like He thinks the Temple is the most obvious place in the world to have looked for Him. It certainly didn't seem so to His parents. It made sense to them that He would be with the "familiar", with the full original meaning of the word being very relevant. And so He was. Certainly we have a nod in the direction of His deity, for the Father had taken Israel and raised it up, created the priesthood, dictated the basic pattern for the Temple - these things were some of His "special" works, and therefore of particular concern. Jesus, having laid aside much that was His from eternity, is puzzled that his guardians would have looked for Him anywhere else. To them, though, His behavior was so different, it put them completely out of their reckoning.

Unfortunately I have to then ask myself if I seem all that different to those around me. Does my concern for the things of God ever shock? Are my priorities so strange that questions get asked, reasons sought, plausible explanations posed? Do I get at least a few raised eyebrows for the company I keep? I know it's cliche, but if I were on trial for being a Christian, a real disciple, an apprentice of Jesus Christ, would there be enough evidence to convict me? I don't think so. I think I am respectable. What a horrible thing to be.

All this is to say that at the very beginning I am being challenged to see the world differently, to seek out my Father's "things", and to do His work, insomuch as I know what He desires, and insomuch as it is within my power to do it. If I do so, there just might be a few times where I'm not where respectable people would be. I might say things that respectable people wouldn't say. And maybe I'll help change some things that respectable people, like all Pharisees everywhere, simply will not change.

Remedial Discipleship - RD099

I find myself in an embarrassing situation. Although I've been a Christian for at least twenty-six years, I am growing more and more disturbed with things in my life. Not that they aren't things I could brush under the rug as it were, if that's what I chose to do. Lots of sins, flaws and weaknesses can be readily hidden if that's what you're inclined to do. For better or for worse, I am not so inclined. I don't want them covered over - I want them destroyed. As I think on the holiness of God, and the sacrifice paid for my life, the desire for personal holiness becomes ever stronger - and ever more elusive. I find myself crying out with Paul's own words, "O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?". My arrogance, my hatred, my laziness, all these and more must be destroyed - I hold that there is no other option.

I know that God is able to free me, and I am trusting Him to do so. But I have to ask the question, why does it seem to be taking so long? Why are victories so few, and why do the failures multiply? Surely after more than two decades, I should be making greater strides, growing stronger in faith and reflecting peace, joy and love on all those around me. To some extent I believe these things are happening, but why are the results so insipid?

I think part of the answer lies in the very nature of modern western Christianity. We are truly a lazy society - spoiled and ungrateful. We resist anything that involves a real commitment, and it shows in our transportation, homes, diets, relationships - in every facet of our lives, including our faith. We want what we want - no more, and no less - and we want it now, and we want it cheap. "You want a free pass to heaven, as well as financial prosperity? Say this prayer, and pay your tithe, and you're good to go! Yes, there are some token items we'd like to see you forego as an earnest of your changed heart, but even those we don't need to get too worked up about - I'm sure it's your bad environment that's really at fault.". Cheap. Easy. Convenient.

That's what it appears to mean when someone says they're a Christian. What's missing is something we don't even comprehend. It's called Discipleship. It's a word that implies an apprenticeship - following the Master as he works his will, learning the craft, developing the muscles, the stance, an eye for all the little details that mean the difference between success and failure. As the apprenticeship advances, we begin to talk like the Master, to see the World as He does, to walk more like Him, even to smell more like Him. it isn't quick. It isn't easy. And you DON'T get to pick and choose what you want to learn, or how you're going to learn it. But if you will undertake it, if you submit to the hand of this master craftsman, you stand a chance of actually becoming like him - not just a mock-up of Him, but the real deal. And you get to share in the greatest work of all.

The embarrassing part of all this comes with the fact that I've been involved in developing a discipleship program at my church. I've looked at different materials, read some things, listened to people talk about it, all the things you're supposed to do. And after doing that, and spending a fair amount of time thinking about it, I've come to a conclusion - I have no idea what discipleship is.

I mean, I think I understand what it supposed to be, but the unfortunate fact is that, although I've been a Christian for twenty-six years, I've never been a disciple.

Well now, what does one do with a situation like that? The only thing I know of, is to start NOW. I want to be a disciple. I don't care what it looks like from the outside. I want my very mature to be changed.

So here's what I propose. I will follow the Master. I will start with the very first of His recorded words, and I will practice them, meditate on them, pray about them. I've heard His words many times - many of them I know by heart. But never, until now, have I attempted to act the part of apprentice. Half-hearted occasional attempts are the best I've ever done. Now I propose to do the real deal.

I invite anyone to follow along in this course in Remedial Discipleship. I can't promise financial freedom, or any easy buttons along the way, but I hope, at the end, we will know what discipleship really is. Joy in the journey, friend.

Life and Death

Christianity is life and death. It isn't, at it's core, about anything else. Yes it's about righteousness, and about help in time of trouble, but that's not the core of it. The heart is life and death.

The story begins that way, with God giving life to all, and the fall of Adam, which meant immediate death spiritually, and physical death eventually. To redeem the sons of Adam, it took life - the life of Jesus - and His death on the cross, and then life once more, as He was raised again.

The church knew it, as in it's infancy it struggled, passing from the joy of the Resurrection, to the confusion and grief of His ascension, to the rebirth which was Pentecost. And we will struggle yet again, through revival, and then a great apostasy and persecution, followed by the return of our Lord.

In our own lives we see it. We pass from a relative ignorance of sin, til we know the reality of it, and we ask for pardon from our Maker. We repeat this, as time after time we have to lay parts of ourselves on an alter, in sacrifice, from which again can come new life.

I am sitting now in a dedication service, thinking these thoughts - meditating on the fact that we are dedicating this little one to death, that they might live. As my children grow, I am faced with the reality of the choices they will make on their own. Eventually, I have to trust in God and in the things their mother and I have tried to teach them. The potential horror of the choices they might make has been overwhelming me of late, making the past few months some of the hardest I've ever experienced. I've been terribly afraid of their rejection of God, and their eternal loss, as they move outward from the safety of home. What can I do if they turn away?

I would pay good money for nice pretty answers - ones that would assure me that the apparent utter rejection of God and all goodness is not what it seems. How can I look forward to joy with my Lord if they are lost? What do I do with the love that I have for that person?

I don't know the answer. What I do know is this - I am not alone. My heavenly Father knows what this is like. His son Adam committed suicide. He chose death instead of life. He rejected all the good he knew, despite knowing what was to come. And how many more of Adam's children have done the same, and destroyed the gift of God that was the life they lived. God knows the grief of a father.

Is there redemption? I do not know. However, the pattern we see throughout is that of life swallowed up into death, then re-emerging in a yet greater way. Can death have the final victory? No. A thousand possibilities arise in my mind, but in the end, I have to stand with George MacDonald and say "When shall a man dare to say that God has done all he can?" I will stand in the power of the Spirit of Life and Truth, I will pray, I will grow, I will hope, and I will continue to love.

Unity

As a protestant Christian with a catholic loved one, I've thought much about unity. It's clear that Jesus desired the unity of the church, and also knew that it would be an issue in the years to come. John 17:20-23 "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. " Surely this is the will of God - how if that is so, have we come to be so fragmented? How have we achieved such disunity?

I guess I'm not sure we have. Oh certainly there are doctrinal squabbles, but I'm not sure that proves disunity. We can in fact be either unified or dis-unified in any number of ways as Christians - as many ways as there are defined doctrines and practices. What is the true meaning of the Eucharist? What method is correct when baptizing believers? What about foot-washing? What's up with bishops and priests or pastors, deacons, preachers, ministers, etc., etc. Is the right form of church government congregational? Episcopal? Is gambling a sin, or just a bad idea? The list could go on forever.

I don't mean to minimize these issues in any way. Anyone who loves God and His son Jesus Christ will desire to know the truth about who they are, and how we should relate to them. It is our duty to probe and question. Even Catholics, though they believe interpretation of Scripture belongs to the trained teachers and leaders of the church, only became Catholics in the first place by examining and accepting a set of beliefs about the catholic church - by in fact interpreting Scripture, history, and the nature of the world around them. We all must do this, and all who really know Him will desire to.

But does it follow that we will all, in the short term, reach the same conclusions? Can anyone find one scripture that claims that ignorance will in fact result in your being cast into Hell? No. It's not there.

We are many times referred to as sheep without a shepherd - we're just not all that bright. That's why we're not told to pick up our cross correctly, just to pick it up and follow. And that is in fact, the unity that we do have. We are united in our love for Him, in our desire to follow Him, and learn from Him. I can go to a catholic church, and I can recognize my brothers and sisters. We can unite in our praise for our redeemer and helper. We can lift our hands together in prayer, and bow our heads in submission. What has divided us over the centuries has always been the arrogance of men who were sure they "had it right". What has united us throughout the same centuries, is the love we have for God, and the love we have for each other. "By this they will know that you are my disciples...."

How do we change the World?

How do we change the World?

It amazes me how many different answers to that question you can get from the same person. In most cases, it seems to me that if you ask a Christian this question, you will get at least two answers. First, you will get an "orthodox" response, that the way to change the World is to bring Jesus to it. And they would be right. But what really interests me is the SECOND answer - the one which will be indirect, but evident. You can see it if you listen before or after nearly any religious service or meeting. What you will hear will be a running commentary about political issues - usually doom and gloom (if the popular party is not in office), or ridiculously high hopes (if they ARE in office). This I find deeply disturbing.

I think it is time to face what appears to be a crisis of integrity in the Church. Who IS the Lord of all? Is it the one we confess Sunday morning? Or is it the next elected official? I was fascinated by the Anti-Christ scare tactics used during the last Presidential election. I thought it ridiculous, and yet telling. For in the current climate of "Evangelical" Christianity, what would be more likely than for us to be concerned about a false Messiah, when we so obviously are trying to elect SOME messianic figure with each and every election. Each time, there is projected over each candidates either an aura of profound evil, or angelic good. Well, folks, I have news for you. There is one and only one Messiah - and it's no more George Bush or Ronald Reagan than Barak Obama or Hillary Clinton.

Please don't misunderstand me - I don't think we should shirk our political responsabilities. I vote in accordance with (hopefully) weel thought-out moral principles, and that definitely influenced my support during the last election. But it seems to be time for the Church to face some facts -

WE WILL NOT REDEEM MANKIND THROUGH POLITICAL OR MILITARY MEANS.

If that was what we were here for, Christ would have come back long ago to rule by force. He would have had MUCH different responses to the Herodians, and to Pontius Pilate. But we were told specifically, and explicitly, that the Kingdom of God is NOT of this World. It is NOT the great commission for us to go and subdue the World by political or military means. It is, instead, a great emigration program. Jesus says "Come all you who are weary and heavy laden...." "Pick up your cross, and follow...." Leave behind the World, and come to the Kingdom.

We are ambassadors for a kingdom that is of another world entirely. We will overcome this World, not by legislating morality, but by making disciples. We are stewards of this Kingdom. If our focus is on politics, we abdicate that role, and give it over to a false Messiah, and anti-christ, no matter what political party he or she belongs to. Remember, folks, the anti-christ would deceive (or nearly so) the very ELECT.

The whole issue came together for me a few days ago when some friends were talking about some political issues, and our President's plans and responses to them. As the discussion focused more and more on deriding the man, it was in my mind to say simply this - "I LOVE the man. After all, I'm CALLED to."

In Christ, I am...

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

John 15:15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

1 Corinthians 6:17 But the one who joins himself to the Lord is one spirit with Him.

1 Corinthians 6:19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight

Colossians 1:13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 2:9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, 10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

Hebrews 4:14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. 16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Romans 8:1 Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge against God's elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 Just as it is written, "FOR YOUR SAKE WE ARE BEING PUT TO DEATH ALL DAY LONG; WE WERE CONSIDERED AS SHEEP TO BE SLAUGHTERED." 37 But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2 Corinthians 1:21 Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22 who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.

Colossians 3:1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. 3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
Philippians 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ;

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

1 John 5:18 We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him.

John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing."

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you."

1 Corinthians 3:16 Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. 18 Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

Ephesians 2:4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Ephesians 3:12 in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

(From Victory Over the Darkness, by Dr. Neil Anderson)

Creation: unfinished

In utmost solitude, in uttermost peace,
The heavenly Lord, ere heavens arose,
Bethought a work, that His solitude cease-
In the pre-dawn hour, their order He chose.

Conceiving of time, conceiving of space,
A stage upon which the drama began,
From nothing, He set the world in its’ place,
Heaven and earth both fused in His hand.

But formless and void, before Him they lay,
As by storm, the waves of the darkness leap –
Not a work, yet a start; ne’er meant to stay,
The Spirit, chaos’ lord, viewed the face of the deep.

Hear now the six days of our Lord’s labor –
The first three form, the last three filled.
Graced with great blessings, our holy God’s favor;
And the seventh day’s rest, so He has willed.